Overview: Oritavancin is an intravenous (IV) antibiotic used to treat certain skin infections caused by bacteria. Common side effects can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Serious side effects are much less common, but can include a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Let your health care provider know right away if you have bloody or watery diarrhea.
Uses
What is oritavancin used for?
Oritavancin is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria.
Oritavancin may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to oritavancin, which will make it not work as well.
Oritavancin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
How does oritavancin work (mechanism of action)?
Oritavancin kills certain types of bacteria by interfering with their ability to build a cell wall and by weakening their cell membrane.
How is oritavancin supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Kimyrsa
- Orbactiv
Dosage forms and strengths
Oritavancin is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.
How should I store oritavancin?
Oritavancin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of oritavancin?
The most common side effects of oritavancin are listed below. Side effects can vary based on which specific product you are receiving. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Skin infections on your arms or legs, or under your skin
- Allergic reactions (see below)
- Itching
- Chills or fever
There may be other side effects of oritavancin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of oritavancin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of oritavancin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Oritavancin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using oritavancin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Infusion Reactions. Oritavancin can cause infusion-related reactions when it is given to you. Your infusion may be slowed down or stopped if you have this reaction. You will be monitored while you are receiving oritavancin. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms when you receive the medicine.
- Redness and warmth of the skin on your upper body
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Back or chest pain
- Chills
- Tremor
Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including oritavancin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.
- Watery diarrhea
- Diarrhea that does not go away
- Blood in your stool (poop)
- Severe stomach cramps
- Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine
Bone Infection. People who use oritavancin may have an increased risk of osteomyelitis, which is a serious infection of the bone. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of osteomyelitis.
- Fever
- Crankiness or tiredness
- Swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth near or around the bone
- Less range of motion
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use oritavancin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use oritavancin.
- Oritavancin
- Kimyrsa
- Orbactiv
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific oritavancin products they stock.
What should I know about oritavancin before using it?
Oritavancin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.
Oritavancin may affect the results of coagulation studies, which are tests that measure your body’s ability to form a clot. These tests are sometimes used to monitor blood thinners, such as heparin or warfarin. It can also increase your D-dimer level, which is a test used to rule out blood clots. Tell your health care provider if you are currently receiving or have recently received oritavancin before you have coagulation studies done.
What should I tell my health care provider before using oritavancin?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if oritavancin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Antibiotic Allergies. People who have previously had an allergic reaction to other antibiotics including dalbavancin, telavancin, or vancomycin may have a similar allergic reaction while using oritavancin. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of an allergic reaction to any of these antibiotics.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Oritavancin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using oritavancin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how oritavancin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if oritavancin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use oritavancin while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does oritavancin interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between oritavancin and foods or drinks.
There are no known interactions between oritavancin and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.
Does oritavancin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking warfarin, which is a blood thinner, before using oritavancin.
Oritavancin may alter the blood levels of many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with oritavancin. Always check with your health care provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much oritavancin?
If you or someone else has used too much oritavancin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of oritavancin?
Oritavancin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving oritavancin as scheduled.
It is important to complete your prescribed course of oritavancin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to oritavancin or other similar medicines. If you miss an appointment to get your oritavancin dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.
Are you currently using Oritavancin (Kimyrsa, Orbactiv)?
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